A transitioning Army officer recently told me he's confident he'll be remembered by his rank in the military more so than what he does afterwards.
"Even if I'm the CEO of a company one day," he said, "it's about those I led in the Army that will define my life and legacy."
But is that accurate?
The service, dedication, sacrifice and commitment it took to achieve the rank you exited the military with is to be revered, recognized and appreciated – no question about it. Yet, other components of legacy come into play when defining our lives.
In coaching numerous senior military officers (and private sector business leaders), many are of the belief that their reputation is solely earned by their title, status and rank (and what they did on the battlefield or in the boardroom).
Let me offer another view.
What Is Legacy?
The definition of "legacy" can vary from an amount of money left to someone in a will to software or hardware that's hard to replace because of its wide use. Commonly, legacy refers to the view or memory of someone's life, beliefs, actions and reputation that is remembered long after they've left.
When we think of legacy in the context of our lives and careers, it's that intangible set of qualities by which we'll be remembered when we're no longer in a position to affect them.
Examples of legacy include when someone leaves their job in a company we talk about their legacy of leadership, work product or the impact they left behind. When someone passes away, we remember their legacy of kindness, generosity and service, for example. It's the qualities that make that person who they are we remember as their legacy.
Veterans are often remembered (in legacy) for their selfless leadership, their sacrifice and dedication to others. This is a great thing! When we remember their lives in totality, we often then remember other important qualities: the way they led their families or took care of their friends, the difference they made in their community, their contribution to social change or how they led those they served after the military.
In this case, we remember more the completeness of their lives and contribution, rather than the details of their rank.
How to work towards a legacy you want
Using your time to intentionally define and craft your legacy ensures you move closer to being seen for the qualities, character, contribution and impact you desire.
To build your ideal legacy today:
1. Make meaningful choices and commitments. Think about each action you take, each relationship you establish, nurture or remove and everything you say as a step towards the legacy you want to leave.
2. Live your values. In the military, you aligned with established values and served to support them. Today, the values you live by are your own. Be clear about what you stand for and uphold those values and principals at all costs.
3. Be mindful of your connections. Today, it's important to surround yourself with people who will appreciate what you offer, be open to learning from you and support your life going forward. Choose your friends, allies, online connections and supporters thoughtfully.
4. Ask questions and solicit feedback. Learning is a key part of legacy. We can't know what we don't know. Being open to new ideas and systems keeps you nimble and growing. Take advice, ask for help and listen to feedback you receive through the filter of "will this insight help me grow closer to being the person I aspire to be?"
5. Think past the rank. Your title, status and rank are symbols of your achievements, sacrifices and responsibilities. Your legacy will include so much more than that. Continue to build out the tapestry of your life and legacy as you move out of the military.
Your life, as a whole, will be full of experiences and challenges, love and loss, triumph and failure. How you'll navigate the entirety of it all -- and treat others along the way -- defines you. Be proud of what you've accomplished and all you've given to your country, and use that to continue to build a story of your life.
The author of "Success After Service: How to Take Control of Your Job Search and Career After Military Duty" (2020) and "Your Next Mission: A personal branding guide for the military-to-civilian transition" (2014), Lida Citroën is a keynote speaker and presenter, executive coach, popular TEDx speaker and instructor of multiple courses on LinkedIn Learning. She regularly presents workshops on personal branding, executive presence, leadership communication, and reputation risk management.
A contributing writer for Military.com, Lida is a passionate supporter of the military, volunteering her time to help veterans transition to civilian careers and assist employers who seek to hire military talent. She regularly speaks at conferences, corporate meetings and events focused on military transition.
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